Clarendon police chief arrested

Clarendon police chief arrested

An East Arkansas police chief is on suspension with pay, accused of breaking the law. A state police investigator says Clarendon police chief Willie Farr, 34, and his wife stole from a discount store.

An East Arkansas police chief is on suspension with pay, accused of breaking the law. A state police investigator says Clarendon police chief Willie Farr, 34, and his wife stole from a discount store.

The mayor tells FOX16 News the Monroe County town is down to three police officers.

His name is on the door, but Willie Farr's time as Clarendon police chief may end soon.

Arkansas State Police say Farr stole from a Dollar General store in Clarendon over a period of several months. When an employee alerted the county prosecutor to what was happening, Farr and his wife surrendered to state police.

"Very disappointing because the chief has done an excellent job for us since he was appointed chief," says Clarendon mayor Donald Branch.

Branch says he first heard about the investigation into his chief four months ago. We wanted to talk to Farr to hear his side. His wife Reba, also charged in the theft, answered the door.

"Well we can't comment, our lawyer told us not to talk to anybody," Reba Farr says.

Clarendon is not a big town so it's not surprising people here are talking about what their police chief is accused of doing.

"It's a small town and you hear a lot but due process needs to run its course," says Roy McCauley.

Sitting in the Corner Cafe, Roy McCauley of Clarendon says he's watching how the city handles the situation.

"If he's found to be guilty of the charges I think they need to fire him," McCauley says.

Branch says there's a better chance that will happen than Farr getting his job back.

"Based on the evidence and some of the paper work that they've investigated and some of things I’ve heard coming out of the prosecuting attorney's office, there's a chance but very slim," Branch says.

A city council meeting Monday night may answer that question while the chief awaits formal criminal charges.

Farr became the Clarendon police chief in December 2007 after joining the force in 2002. The mayor says Farr earns $28,000 a year. The mayor is also overseeing the department while the criminal investigation is on-going.

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